Method for searching for malodor control agent, malodor control agent, and malodor control method

ABSTRACT

Provided are a method for searching for a malodor inhibitor by using the response of an olfactory receptor as an indicator; a method for inhibiting malodor based on the antagonism of olfactory receptors; and a malodor inhibitor. Disclosed are a method for searching for a malodor inhibitor, the method including: adding a test substance and a malodor-causing substance to any one olfactory receptor selected from the group consisting of OR51E1, OR2W1, OR10A6, OR51I2, and OR51L1, measuring the response of the olfactory receptor to the malodor-causing substance, identifying the test substance that suppresses the response of the olfactory receptor on the basis of the measured response, and selecting the identified test substance as a malodor inhibitor; an antagonist to any one olfactory receptor selected from the group consisting of OR51E1, OR2W1, OR10A6, OR51I2, and OR51L1; a method for inhibiting malodor using the antagonist.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY

The content of the electronically submitted substitute sequence listing, file name 2537_0830003_SL.txt, size 24,745 bytes; and date of creation Oct. 23, 2015, filed herewith, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method for searching for a malodor inhibitor, a malodor inhibitor, and a method for inhibiting malodor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In our living environment, there are a large number of malodorous molecules having different polarization characteristics and molecular weights. Hitherto, a variety of methods have been developed for reducing various malodorous molecules. Generally, the methods for reducing malodors are broadly classified into a biological method, a chemical method, a physical method, or a sensory method. Among malodorous molecules, short-chain fatty acids and amines, having high polarity, can be reduced through a chemical method; i.e., neutralization. Sulfur-containing compounds such as thiol can be reduced through a physical method; i.e., adsorption. However, there still remain many malodorous molecules, such as medium-chain and long-chain fatty acids and skatole, which cannot be reduced through known malodor reducing techniques.

In mammals including humans, the mechanism for odorant recognition includes binding odorant molecules to olfactory receptors present on olfactory sensory neurons included in the olfactory epithelium, which is present in an upper portion of the nasal cavity, and transmitting the response of the receptors to the central nervous system. It has been reported that, 387 different olfactory receptors are present in human, and the genes encoding these olfactory receptors account for about 3% of the human genome.

Generally, a plurality of olfactory receptors responds to a plurality of odorant molecules. Specifically, one single olfactory receptor responds to a plurality of structurally similar odorant molecules at different affinities, while one single odorant molecule is detected by a plurality of olfactory receptors. It is also reported that a certain odorant molecule which can activate one olfactory receptor serves as an antagonist that inhibits activation of another olfactory receptor. Such combined response of these olfactory receptors leads to recognition of each odor.

Therefore, even in the case where the same odor molecules are present, if other odor molecules exist simultaneously, the receptor response may be inhibited by the other odor molecules, and the odor that is eventually perceived may come out to be completely different. Such a mechanism is referred to as the antagonism of olfactory receptors. Modification of an odor by this antagonism of receptors can specifically cause loss of the perception of a malodor, unlike the deodorization methods involving addition of another odor such as the odor of a perfume or an aromatizing agent. Furthermore, there is no chance of occurrence of any unpleasant feelings caused by the odor of the aromatizing agent.

In regard to nonanoic acid, hexanoic acid, isovaleric acid and the like, which are representative causative substances for body odor, their odors have been hitherto disodorized or deodorized by techniques such as the use of a disodorizer or a deodorizer, and the use of a fragrance or an aromatizing agent (Patent Documents 1 and 2, and Non-Patent Document 1). However, these techniques are methods intended to reduce the initial generation of an odorous substance or to make another odor to be more strongly perceived, and these methods differ from the deodorization by masking based on the antagonism of olfactory sensors. Furthermore, in the conventional methods, when a deodorizer is used, since some time is required to reduce the odorous substance, the methods lack immediate effectiveness. When an aromatizing agent is used, there are occasions in which unpleasant feelings may occur due to the odor of the aromatizing agent itself. In other cases, the conventional methods may even eliminate odors other than an intended malodor. If deodorization by masking based on the antagonism of olfactory receptors is utilized, there is a possibility that the problems described above may be solved.

In order to utilize the antagonism of olfactory receptors, there is a need for a search and identification of substances which exhibit olfactory receptor antagonistic action against individual malodor molecules; however, it is not easy to conduct such a search. Conventionally, the evaluation of an odor has been carried out by a sensory test conducted by experts. However, a sensory test has problems such as a need to foster experts who are capable of evaluating odors, and the characteristic of low throughput.

In order to achieve odor control by utilizing the antagonism of olfactory receptors, it would be an important matter to correlate an odor and an olfactory receptor. In relation to the olfactory receptors that receive nonanoic acid or hexanoic acid, it has been hitherto reported that OR2W1 responds to hexanoic acid and nonanoic acid, OR51E1 responds to nonanoic acid, and OR51L1 responds to hexanoic acid (Non-Patent Document 2). It has also been reported that OR51E1 responds to isovaleric acid (Non-Patent Document 3).

Aldehyde-based fragrance components have been traditionally incorporated into aromatizing/deodorizing agents cleaning compositions and the like for personal care or environment, (Patent Documents 1 to 3). However, these components are used as aromatizing components, and have not been used as antagonists that control the response of olfactory receptors to malodors.

CITATION LISTS Patent Document

-   Patent Document 1: JP-A-2003-190264 -   Patent Document 2: JP-A-2003-113392 -   Patent Document 3: JP-A-2003-518162

Non-Patent Document

-   Non-Patent Document 1: KAWASAKI Michiaki and HORIUCHI Tetsushirou,     Kyukaku to Nioi Busshitsu (Japan Association on Odor Environment) -   Non-Patent Document 2: Saito H., Chi Q., Zhuang H., Matsunami H.,     Mainland J. D. Sci Signal. (2009, 2 (60): ra9 -   Non-Patent Document 3: Philippeau et al., ACHEMS 2009 Annual Meeting     Abstract, 31^(st) Annual Meeting of the Association for     Chemoreception Sciences, #P121

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

That is, according to an aspect of the present invention, the present invention a method for searching for a malodor inhibitor, the method including:

adding a test substance and a malodor-causing substance to any one olfactory receptor selected from the group consisting of OR51E1, OR2W1, OR10A6, OR51I2, and OR51L1;

measuring the response of the olfactory receptor to the malodor-causing substance;

identifying the test substance which suppresses the response of the olfactory receptor on the basis of the measured response; and

selecting the identified test substance as the malodor inhibitor.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a compound for use in the antagonism of any one olfactory receptor selected from the group consisting of OR51E1, OR2W1, OR10A6, OR51I2, and OR51L1, the compound being one or more selected from the group consisting of the following compounds: 3-(3-isopropylphenyl)-butyraldehyde, 4-isopropyl-1-methylcyclohexanecarbaldehyde, 3-(4-tert-butylphenyl)propanal, 3-(4-isopropylphenyl)-2-methylpropanal, 3,7-dimethyl-7-hydroxyoctanal, p-tert-butyl-α-methylhydrocinnamaldehyde, 7-methoxy-3,7-dimethyloctanal, 3-(4-isobutylphenyl)-2-methyl-propionaldehyde, 4-isopropyl-1-methylcyclohexylmethanol, 4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-methyl-2-butanol, tetrahydro-4-methyl-2-(2-methylpropyl)-2H-pyran-4-ol, 2,2-dimethyl-3-(3-methylphenyl)propanol, 4-isopropylcyclohexanecarbaldehyde, 3,7-dimethyl-6-octenal, 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydro-8,8-dimethyl-2-naphthalenecarboxy aldehyde, 2,4,6-trimethyl-3-cyclohexene-1-carboxyaldehyde, 3,5,6-trimethyl-3-cyclohexene-1-carboxyaldehyde, 2,4-dimethyl-3-cyclohexane-1-carboxyaldehyde, 4-isopropylbenzaldehyde, and 2-cyclohexylpropanal.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an olfactory receptor antagonist for use in the malodor inhibition, the antagonist antagonizing any one olfactory receptor selected from the group consisting of OR51E1, OR2W1, OR10A6, OR51I2 and OR51L1 and being one or more selected from the group consisting of the following compounds: 3-(3-isopropylphenyl)-butyraldehyde, 4-isopropyl-1-methylcyclohexanecarbaldehyde, 3-(4-tert-butylphenyl)propanal, 3-(4-isopropylphenyl)-2-methylpropanal, 3,7-dimethyl-7-hydroxyoctanal, p-tert-butyl-α-methylhydrocinnamaldehyde, 7-methoxy-3,7-dimethyloctanal, 3-(4-isobutylphenyl)-2-methyl-propionaldehyde, 4-isopropyl-1-methylcyclohexylmethanol, 4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-methyl-2-butanol, tetrahydro-4-methyl-2-(2-methylpropyl)-2H-pyran-4-ol, 2,2-dimethyl-3-(3-methylphenyl)propanol, 4-isopropylcyclohexanecarbaldehyde, 3,7-dimethyl-6-octenal, 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydro-8,8-dimethyl-2-naphthalenecarboxy aldehyde, 2,4,6-trimethyl-3-cyclohexene-1-carboxyaldehyde, 3,5,6-trimethyl-3-cyclohexene-1-carboxyaldehyde, 2,4-dimethyl-3-cyclohexane-1-carboxyaldehyde, 4-isopropylbenzaldehyde, and 2-cyclohexylpropanal.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for inhibiting malodor including causing a malodor and an antagonist to an olfactory receptor for the malodor to coexist, the antagonist being an antagonist to any one olfactory receptor selected from the group consisting of OR51E1, OR2W1, OR10A6, OR51I2, and OR51L1, and being one or more selected from the group consisting of 3-(3-isopropylphenyl)-butyraldehyde, 4-isopropyl-1-methylcyclohexanecarbaldehyde, 3-(4-tert-butylphenyl)propanal, 3-(4-isopropylphenyl)-2-methylpropanal, 3,7-dimethyl-7-hydroxyoctanal, p-tert-butyl-α-methylhydrocinnamaldehyde, 7-methoxy-3,7-dimethyloctanal, 3-(4-isobutyl-phenyl)-2-methyl-propionaldehyde, 4-isopropyl-1-methylcyclohexylmethanol, 4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-methyl-2-butanol, tetrahydro-4-methyl-2-(2-methylpropyl)-2H-pyran-4-ol, 2,2-dimethyl-3-(3-methylphenyl)propanol, 4-isopropylcyclohexanecarbaldehyde, 3,7-dimethyl-6-octenal, 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydro-8,8-dimethyl-2-naphthalenecarboxy aldehyde, 2,4,6-trimethyl-3-cyclohexene-1-carboxyaldehyde, 3,5,6-trimethyl-3-cyclohexene-1-carboxyaldehyde, 2,4-dimethyl-3-cyclohexane-1-carboxyaldehyde, 4-isopropylbenzaldehyde, and 2-cyclohexylpropanal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a set of diagrams illustrating the responses of olfactory receptors to hexanoic acid and nonanoic acid, in which the horizontal axis illustrates individual olfactory receptors, while the vertical axis illustrates the response intensities;

FIG. 2 is a set of diagrams illustrating the responses of olfactory receptors to hexanoic acid of various concentrations, in which an error bar=±SE;

FIG. 3 is a set of diagrams illustrating the responses of olfactory receptors to isovaleric acid of various concentrations, in which an error bar=±SE;

FIG. 4 is a set of diagrams illustrating the concentration-dependent inhibition of test substances in the response of receptors to hexanoic acid, in which an error bar=±SE;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a sensory evaluation of the hexanoic acid odor control capacity of bourgeonal and florhydral, in which an error bar=±SE;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a sensory evaluation of the nonanoic acid odor control capacity of a test substance, in which an error bar=±SE;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a sensory evaluation of the isovaleric acid odor control capacity of a test substance, in which an error bar=±SE; and

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a sensory evaluation of the cresol odor control capacity of a test substance, in which an error bar=±SE.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used herein, the term “masking” in the odor-related field generally refers to means for inhibiting or weakening recognition of a target odor. The term “masking” may encompass chemical means, physical means, biological means, and sensory means. Examples of the masking means include any means for removing a odorant molecule responsible for a target odor from the environment (e.g., adsorption and chemical decomposition of the odorant); means for preventing release of a target odor to the environment (e.g., sealing); and a method in which recognition of a target odor is inhibited by adding another odorant such as a perfume or an aromatic.

As used herein, the term “masking through olfactory receptor antagonism” refers to one embodiment of the aforementioned broadly defined “masking” and is means for inhibiting the response of an olfactory receptor to a target odorant molecule by an additional odorant molecule, to thereby modulate the smell of the target odorant molecule recognized by a subject. Although masking through olfactory receptor antagonism employs an additional odorant molecule, the masking differs from means for canceling out a target odor by use of a strong odorant such as a perfume. In one embodiment of masking through olfactory receptor antagonism, a substance which can inhibit the response of an olfactory receptor such as an antagonist is used. When a response-inhibiting substance which can specifically inhibit the response of a receptor related to recognition of a certain odor is employed, the response of the receptor is suppressed, whereby the odor recognized by a subject can be modulated.

The present invention provides a method for searching for a malodor inhibitor by using the response of an olfactory receptor as an indicator, a method for inhibiting malodor based on the antagonism of olfactory receptors, and a malodor inhibitor.

The inventors of the present invention succeeded in newly identifying olfactory receptors that respond to malodor-causing substances such as nonanoic acid, hexanoic acid, and isovaleric acid odors. Furthermore, the inventors of the present invention found that substances which control the response of the relevant olfactory receptors can be used as malodor inhibitors that inhibit malodor through masking by means of the antagonism of olfactory receptors. Furthermore, the inventors of the present invention succeeded in identifying olfactory receptors that respond to malodor-causing substances such as nonanoic acid, hexanoic acid, and isovaleric acid, and antagonists to the olfactory receptors. The relevant receptor antagonists can inhibit malodors through masking by means of the antagonism of olfactory receptors. Based on these findings, the inventors completed the present invention.

According to the present invention, there is no problem with low immediate effectiveness or with the unpleasantness originating from the odor of an aromatizing agent, which have occurred in the conventional deodorization method of using a deodorizer or an aromatic agent, and a malodor can be specifically deodorized. Furthermore, according to the present invention, an efficient search for such a malodor inhibitor can be made.

According to an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for searching for a malodor inhibitor. This method includes adding a test substance and a malodor-causing substance to any one olfactory receptor selected from the group consisting of OR51E1, OR2W1, OR10A6, OR51I2, and OR51L1; measuring the response of the olfactory receptor; identifying the test substance which suppresses the response of the olfactory receptor on the basis of the measured response; and selecting the identified test substance as a malodor inhibitor.

In the method of the present invention, a test substance and a substance which causes a malodor are added to an olfactory receptor which responds to the malodor. The olfactory receptor used in the method of the present invention may be any one olfactory receptor selected from the group consisting of OR51E1, OR2W1, OR10A6, OR51I2, and OR51L1.

OR51E1, OR2W1, OR10A6, OR51I2, and OR51L1 are olfactory receptors that are expressed in human olfactory cells, and are respectively registered in GenBank under Accession Nos. GI:205277377, GI:169234788, GI:52218835, GI:284172435, and GI:52317143.

OR10A6 is a protein consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2, which is encoded by a gene having the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1.

OR2W1 is a protein consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 4, which is encoded by a gene having the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3.

OR51E1 is a protein consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 6, which is encoded by a gene having the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 5.

OR51I2 is a protein consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 8, which is encoded by a gene having the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 7.

OR51L1 is a protein consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 10, which is encoded by a gene having the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 9.

Furthermore, examples of the olfactory receptors used in the method of the present invention include polypeptides having responsiveness to malodors of nonanoic acid, hexanoic acid, isovaleric acid or the like, each of which comprises an amino acid sequence having a sequence identity of 80% or more, preferably 85% or more, more preferably 90% or more, even more preferably 95% or more, and still more preferably 98% or more, with the amino acid sequence of OR51E1, OR2W1, OR10A6, OR51I2, or OR51L1 described above. In the method of the present invention, any of the olfactory receptors may be used alone, or plural olfactory receptors may be used in combination.

Since the olfactory receptors described above are responsive to nonanoic acid, hexanoic acid, or isovaleric acid as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, a substance which suppresses the response of such a receptor causes a change in the perception of nonanoic acid odor, hexanoic acid odor, or isovaleric acid odor at the central nervous system, through masking based on the antagonism of olfactory receptors, and consequently can inhibit a malodor caused by nonanoic acid, hexanoic acid, or isovaleric acid. Therefore, the malodor-causing substance that is used in the present invention is preferably nonanoic acid, hexanoic acid or isovaleric acid, and examples of the malodor that is inhibited by the malodor inhibitor searched by the method of the present invention include the hexanoic acid odor, the nonanoic acid odor, and the isovaleric acid odor. The hexanoic acid odor, the nonanoic acid odor, and the isovaleric acid odor are generally known as, for example, the odors of the body odor (or fatty acid odors) caused by sweat or sebum, or the like.

Therefore, in the case of searching for an inhibitor for the hexanoic acid odor in the method of the present invention, the olfactory receptor to be used is selected from the group consisting of OR51E1, OR2W1, OR10A6, OR51I2, and OR51L1, and is preferably selected from the group consisting of OR51E1, OR10A6, and OR51I2. The malodor-causing substance to be used is hexanoic acid. Furthermore, in the case of searching for an inhibitor for the nonanoic acid odor in the method of the present invention, the olfactory receptor to be used is selected from the group consisting of OR51E1, OR2W1, and OR10A6, and is preferably OR10A6. The malodor-causing substance to be used is nonanoic acid. Further, in the case of searching for a control agent for the isovaleric acid odor in the method of the present invention, the olfactory receptor to be used is selected from the group consisting of OR51I2 and OR51E1, and is preferably OR51I2. The malodor-causing substance to be used is isovaleric acid.

Alternatively, by using an olfactory receptor which responds to both the hexanoic acid odor and the nonanoic acid odor, a malodor inhibitor which inhibits both the odors can be searched for. In this case, the olfactory receptor to be used is selected from the group consisting of OR2W1, OR10A6, and OR51E1, and the olfactory receptor to be used is preferably OR10A6. Alternatively, by using an olfactory receptor which responds to both the hexanoic acid odor and the isovaleric acid odor, a malodor inhibitor which inhibits both the odors can be searched for. In this case, the olfactory receptor to be used is selected from the group consisting of OR51I2 and OR51E1, and the olfactory receptor to be used is preferably OR51I2. Alternatively, by using an olfactory receptor which responds to both the nonanoic acid odor and the isovaleric acid odor, a malodor inhibitor which inhibits both the odors can be searched for. In this case, the olfactory receptor to be used is preferably OR51E1. Alternatively, by using an olfactory receptor which responds to any of the hexanoic acid odor, the nonanoic acid odor, and the isovaleric acid odor, a malodor inhibitor which inhibits the three kinds of odors can be searched for. In this case, the olfactory receptor to be used is preferably OR51E1.

No particular limitation is imposed on the test substance tested in the method of the present invention, so long as the test substance is thought to be used as a malodor inhibitor. The test substance may be a naturally occurring substance or a chemically or biologically synthesized artificial substance. The test substance may be a compound, a composition, or a mixture.

So long as the function of the olfactory receptor is not impaired, the olfactory receptor may be used in any form in the method of the present invention. For example, the olfactory receptor may be use in the following embodiments: tissues or cells which intrinsically express an olfactory receptor such as olfactory sensory neurons isolated from living bodies and cultured products thereof; olfactory cell membrane bearing the olfactory receptor; recombinant cells genetically modified so as to express the olfactory receptor and cultured products thereof; membrane of the recombinant cells; and artificial lipid bilayer membrane having the olfactory receptor. All of these embodiments are included within the scope of the olfactory receptor used in the present invention.

One preferred embodiment of the present invention employs cells which intrinsically express an olfactory receptor such as olfactory sensory neurons, recombinant cells genetically modified so as to express the olfactory receptor, or a cultured product of any of these. The recombinant cells may be produced through transformation by use of a vector to which a gene encoding the olfactory receptor has been incorporated. In this case, preferably in order to promote the expression of the olfactory receptor in the cellular membrane, RTP1S and receptor are transfected to cells.

An example of RTP1S that can be used in the production of the recombinant cell may be human RTP1S. Human RTP1S is registered in GenBank under Accession No. GI: 50234917. Human RTP1S is a protein consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 12, which is encoded by a gene having the gene sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 11. Furthermore, instead of human RTP1S, a polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence having a sequence identity of 80% or more, preferably 85% or more, more preferably 90% or more, even more preferably 95% or more, and still more preferably 98% or more, with the amino acid sequence of human RTP1S (SEQ ID NO: 12), and which promotes, similarly to human RTP1S, the expression of olfactory receptors in the membrane, may also be used. For example, mouse RTP1S (see Sci Signal., 2009, 2(60): ra9 described above) is a protein which has a sequence identity of 89% with the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 12, has a function of promoting the expression of olfactory receptors in the membrane, and can thus be used for the production of the recombinant cell described above.

In the present invention, the sequence identity (nucleotide sequence and amino acid sequence) is calculated through the Lipman-Pearson method (Science, 227, 1435, (1985)). More specifically, the identity is calculated by a homology analysis program (Search homology) of the genetic information processing software Genetyx-Win (Ver. 5.1.1; Software Development) at a unit size to compare (ktup) of 2.

According to the method of the present invention, a test substance and a malodor-causing substance are added to an olfactory receptor, and then the response of the olfactory receptor to the malodor-causing substance is measured. The measurement may be performed through any method known in the art as a response measurement method of olfactory receptors; e.g., the calcium imaging method. When activated by an odorant molecule, an olfactory receptor activates adenylyl cyclase with the aid of Gas present in cells, to thereby elevate the intracellular cAMP level (Mombaerts P., Nat. Neurosci., 5, 263-278). Therefore, the response of an olfactory receptor can be measured by employing, as an index, the intracellular cAMP level determined after addition of the odorant. The method for determining the cAMP level employed in the present invention includes ELISA, reporter gene assay, and the like.

Next, the suppression effect of the test substance on the response of the olfactory receptor to a malodor-causing substance is evaluated on the basis of the measured response of the olfactory receptor, and the test substance that suppresses the response is identified. The evaluation of the suppression effect can be carried out by, for example, comparing the responses of the receptor to a malodor-causing substance measured when the test substance is added at different concentrations. As a more specific example, comparisons are made for the responses of the receptor to a malodor-causing substance between a test substance-added group with a higher concentration of the test substance and a test substance-added group with a lower concentration of the test substance; between a test substance-added group and a group without application; or between the response before the application of a test substance and the response after the application of a test substance. If the response of the olfactory receptor is suppressed by the addition of a test substance, or by the addition of a test substance at a higher concentration, the test substance can be identified as a substance which suppresses the response of the relevant olfactory receptor. For example, if the response of the receptor in a test substance-added group is suppressed to 80% or less, and preferably to 50% or less, as compared with a control group, the test substance can be selected as a malodor control agent.

The thus-identified test substance is a substance which suppresses the response of the olfactory receptor to the malodor employed in the above procedure, to thereby modulate the malodor recognition at the central nervous system through masking based on olfactory receptor antagonism, causing a subject to disable recognition of the malodor. Thus, the test substance identified in the above procedure is selected as a malodor inhibitor to the malodor employed in the above procedure.

According to another embodiment, the present invention provides a malodor inhibitor including an antagonist of an olfactory receptor to a malodor as an active ingredient. Examples of the malodor to be controlled include a hexanoic acid odor, a nonanoic acid odor, and an isovaleric acid odor. These odors are generally known as, for example, the odors of the body odor (or fatty acid odors) caused by sweat or sebum, or the like. Any one or more, and preferably all, of these odors are inhibited by the malodor inhibitor of the present invention.

The olfactory receptor related to the malodors may be any one olfactory receptor selected from the group consisting of OR51E1, OR2W1, OR10A6, OR51I2, and OR51L1. The antagonist as an active ingredient of the malodor inhibitor of the present invention may be an antagonist to any one of these olfactory receptors, or may be an antagonist to plural olfactory receptors. The olfactory receptors exhibit responses to the odor of nonanoic acid, hexanoic acid or isovaleric acid, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. Therefore, when the responses of these receptors are suppressed, since a change occurs in the perception of the nonanoic acid odor, the hexanoic acid odor, or the isovaleric acid odor at the central nervous system, the malodor caused by nonanoic acid, hexanoic acid, or isovaleric acid can be inhibited through masking by means of the antagonism of olfactory receptors.

Examples of the antagonist include the substances indicated in the following Tables 1-1 and 1-2. As indicated in Table 3, these substances are antagonists of the relevant olfactory receptors, which control the response of the olfactory receptors. These substances have been traditionally known as fragrances, but it has not been known to date that these substances have olfactory receptor antagonist activity.

TABLE 1-1 Name Structure 4-Isopropyl-1- methylcyclo- hexanecarbaldehyde

Bourgeonal (3-(4-tert-butyl- phenyl)propanal)

Cyclamen aldehyde (3-(4-isopropylphenyl)- 2-methylpropanal)

Florhydral (3-(3-isopropyl- phenyl)- butyraldehyde)

Hydroxycitronellal (3,7-dimethyl-7- hydroxyoctanal)

Lilial (p-tert-butyl-α- methylhydro- cinnamaldehyde)

Methoxycitronellal (7-methoxy-3,7- dimethyloctanal)

Suzaral (3-(4-isobutylphenyl)- 2-methyl- propionaldehyde)

4-Isopropyl-1- methylcyclo- hexylmethanol

4-(2-Methoxyphenyl)- 2-methyl-2-butanol

Florosa (tetrahydro-4-methyl- 2-(2-methylpropyl)- 2H-pyran-4-ol)

TABLE 1-2 Name Structure Majantol (2,2-dimethyl-3-(3-methylphenyl)propanol)

4-Isopropylcyclohexanecarbaldehyde

Citronellal (3,7-dimethyl-6-octenal)

Cyclemon A (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydro-8,8- dimethyl-2-naphthalenecarboxyaldehyde)

Isocyclocitral (2,4,6-trimethyl-3-cyclohexene-1-carboxyaldehyde, 3,5,6-trimethyl-3-cyclohexene-1-carboxyaldehyde)

Tripral (2,4-dimethyl-3-cyclohexane-1-carboxyaldehyde)

Cuminaldehyde (4-isopropylbenzaldehyde)

Pollenal II (2-cyclohexylpropanal)

Among the antagonists described in Tables 1-1 and 1-2, preferred examples of the active ingredient of the malodor inhibitor of the present invention include florhydral, 4-isopropyl-1-methylcyclohexanecarbaldehyde, bourgeonal, hydroxycitronellal, 4-isopropylcyclohexanecarbaldehyde, 4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-methyl-2-butanol, florosa, cyclemon A, isocyclocitral, tripral, Pollenal II, and methoxycitronellal; and more preferred examples thereof include florhydral, bourgeonal, hydroxycitronellal, 4-isopropylcyclohexanecarbaldehyde, florosa, isocyclocitral, tripral, Pollenal II, and methoxycitronellal. Even more preferred examples thereof include florhydral, bourgeonal, methoxycitronellal, and isocyclocitral.

Among the antagonists described in Tables 1-1 and 1-2, bourgeonal (3-(4-tert-butylphenyl)propanal), florhydral (3-(3-isopropylphenyl)-butyraldehyde), lilial (p-tert-butyl-α-methylhydrocinnamaldehyde), and florosa (tetrahydro-4-methyl-2-(2-methylpropyl)-2H-pyran-4-ol) are available from Givaudan SA; Suzaral (3-(4-isobutylphenyl)-2-methyl-propionaldehyde) is available from Takasago International Corp.; and majantol (2,2-dimethyl-3-(3-methylphenyl)propanol) is available from Symrise AG. Furthermore, cyclemon A (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydro-8,8-dimethyl-2-naphthalenecarbox yaldehyde) and tripral (2,4-dimethyl-3-cyclohexane-1-carboxyaldehyde) are available from International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.; and Pollenal II (2-cyclohexylpropanal) is available from Kao Corp. Cyclamen aldehyde (3-(4-isopropylphenyl)-2-methylpropanal), hydroxycitronellal (3,7-dimethyl-7-hydroxyoctanal), methoxycitronellal (7-methoxy-3,7-dimethyloctanal), citronellal (3,7-dimethyl-6-octenal), isocyclocitral (2,4,6-trimethyl-3-cyclohexene-1-carboxyaldehyde, 3,5,6-trimethyl-3-cyclohexene-1-carboxyaldehyde), and cuminaldehyde (4-isopropylbenzaldehyde) are available, as described in “Gosei Koryo Kagaku to Shohin Chishiki (Synthetic Fragrance and Flavor: Chemistry and Knowledge on Commercial Products), enlarged and revised edition, written by Indo, Motoichi, Chemical Daily Co., Ltd.,” from International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc., Givaudan SA, Takasago International Corp., and the like. 4-Isopropyl-1-methylcyclohexanecarbaldehyde can be synthesized by, for example, a method described in JP-A-2009-149811. Furthermore, 4-isopropyl-1-methylcyclohexylmethanol can be synthesized by, for example, a method described in JP-A-2008-1667, and 4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-methyl-2-butanol can be synthesized by, for example, a method described in JP-A709-111281.

For instance, 4-isopropylcyclohexanecarbaldehyde can be synthesized by a method described in JP-A-02-188549, by using 1554.57 g of 4-isopropylcyclohexylmethanol (Mayol; Firmenich SA) as a starting raw material, and the product thus obtainable is identified, for example, as follows:

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz, δ ppm): 0.80 (3H, d, 6.8 Hz), 0.84 (3H, d, 6.8 Hz), 0.97-1.03, 1.19-1.30, 1.37-1.48, 1.51-1.61, 1.81-1.86, 1.95-1.99, 2.10-2.20 (10H, all m), 2.38-2.42 (1H, m), 9.56 (0.5H, s), 9.66 (0.5H, s)

¹³C-NMR (CDCl₃, 100 MHz, δ ppm): 19.87, 19.92 (q), 24.79, 26.32, 26.57, 28.63 (t), 32.14, 32.84, 43.31, 43.60 (d), 47.18, 50.68 (d), 204.60, 205.51 (d)

The active ingredient of the malodor inhibitor of the present invention may be any one or more of the antagonists described above. That is, the malodor inhibitor of the present invention includes any of the aforementioned antagonists singly or in combination of two or more. Preferably, the malodor inhibitor of the present invention is essentially constituted of one or a combination of two or more of any of the antagonists described above.

According to another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for inhibiting malodor including causing a malodor and an antagonist of an olfactory receptor to the malodor to coexist. In this method, an antagonist of a receptor to a malodor is applied, in the presence of the malodor, to an individual in need of the inhibition of perception of the malodor, and preferably to an individual in need of the inhibition of perception of the malodor through masking by means of the antagonism of olfactory receptors, and the malodor and the antagonist are caused to coexist, or the antagonist is applied in advance to the individual, and then the malodor and the antagonist are caused to coexist. Thereby, the malodor receptor and the antagonist bind to each other, and thus the response of the receptor is suppressed. Accordingly, masking by means of the antagonism of olfactory receptors occurs, and the malodor is inhibited.

In the method of the present invention, the individual is not particularly limited as long as it is a mammal, but the individual is preferably a human being. The types of the malodor to be inhibited, the olfactory receptor, and the antagonist to be used are the same as in the case of the malodor inhibitor described above.

As will be described in the following Examples, the antagonists described in Tables 1-1 and 1-2 suppress the response of an olfactory receptor selected from the group consisting of OR51E1, OR2W1, OR10A6, OR51I2, and OR51L1 to the odor molecules. When the relevant antagonists are used, the odor originating from the odor molecules perceived by the olfactory receptor can be odor-specifically suppressed through masking by means of the antagonism of olfactory receptors.

The olfactory receptor antagonists described in Tables 1-1 and 1-2, or the malodor inhibitor selected according to the method for searching for a malodor inhibitor, can be used to inhibit the malodor through the olfactory masking based on the suppression of the response of an olfactory receptor to a malodor, and can also be used for the production of a compound or a composition intended to inhibit the malodor. In addition to the malodor inhibitor, the compound or composition for inhibiting malodor may appropriately include other components having a deodorizing effect or any arbitrary components used in deodorizers or disodorizers, for example, fragrances, powder components, liquid fat or oil, solid fat or oil, waxes, hydrocarbons, plant extracts, herbal medicine components, higher alcohols, lower alcohols, esters, long-chain fatty acids, surfactants (nonionic surfactants, anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, and the like), sterols, polyhydric alcohols, moisture retainers, water-soluble polymer compounds, thickeners, film-forming agents, antibacterials, antiseptics, ultraviolet absorbers, fixing agents, cold sensation agents, temperature sensation agents, stimulants, metal ion sequestrants, sugars, amino acids, organic amines, synthetic resin emulsions, pH adjusting agents, oxidation inhibitors, oxidation inhibition aids, oils, powders, capsules, chelating agents, inorganic salts, organic salt dyes, antifungal agents, colorants, defoamants, extending agents, modulating agents, organic acids, polymers, polymer dispersants, enzymes, and enzyme stabilizers, according to the purpose.

As the other components having a deodorization effect that can be included in the compound or composition for malodor inhibition, any known deodorizer having a chemical or physical deodorization effect can be used, but examples that can be used include the deodorizing active ingredients extracted from various sites of plants such as leaves, leafstalks, fruits, stems, roots, and barks (for example, green tea extracts); organic acids such as lactic acid, gluconic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, itaconic acid, citric acid, benzoic acid, and salicylic acid, various amino acids and salts thereof, glyoxal, oxidizing agents, flavonoids, catechins, polyphenols; porous materials such as activated carbon and zeolites; inclusion agents such as cyclodextrins; photocatalysts; and various masking agents.

EXAMPLES

Hereinafter, the present invention will be more specifically described by way of Examples.

Example 1 Identification of Olfactory Receptor Responding to Malodor

1) Cloning of Human Olfactory Receptor Genes

Cloning of human olfactory receptors was performed based on the sequence information registered in GenBank, through PCR with human genomic DNA female (G1521: Promega) as a template. Each of the genes amplified through PCR was inserted into a pENTR vector (Invitrogen) according to an instruction manual. Then, the gene-inserted vector was digested with NotI and AscI, and the obtained fragments were inserted into NotI and AscI sites located downstream of the Flag-Rho tag sequence in the pME18S vector.

2) Production of pME18S-hRTP1S Vector

Cloning of human RTP1S was performed through PCR with a human RTP1 gene (MHS1010-9205862: Open Biosystems) as a template. EcoRI site was added to the forward primer employed in PCR, and XhoI site was added to the reverse primer. A hRTP1S gene (SEQ ID NO: 9) was amplified through PCR and inserted into EcoRI and XhoI site of the pME18S vector.

3) Production of Olfactory Receptor Expressing Cell

Each of the 350 types of human olfactory receptors was expressed in HEK293 cells. A reaction solution having a composition shown in Table 2 was prepared on a clean bench, and left to stand for 15 minutes. The solution was dispensed to each well of a 96-well plate (BD). Subsequently, HEK2·BR>X3 cells (100 μL, 3×10⁵ cells/cm²) were seeded in each well and cultured for 24 hours in an incubator at 37° C. and under 5% CO₂ conditions.

TABLE 2 OPTI-MEM (GIBCO) 50 μl Human olfactory receptor gene 0.075 μg (Incorporated into a pME18S vector in which Flag-Rho tag is added to the N-terminus) pGL4.29 (fluc2P-CRE-hygro, Promega) 0.03 μg pGL4.75 (hRluc-CMV, Promega) 0.03 μg pME18S-hRTP1S 0.03 μg Lipofectamine 2000 (Invitrogen) 0.4 μl 4) Luciferase Assay

The olfactory receptor expressed in HEK293 cell was conjugated with cell-intrinsic Gas to activate adenylate cyclase, and thereby the level of intracellular cAMP was increased. For the measurement of the response to odor in this study, the luciferase reporter gene assay was used, in which an increase in the amount of intracellular cAMP was monitored by using the emission value originating from firefly luciferase gene (fluc2P-CRE-hygro) as an indicator. Furthermore, a gene product obtained by fusing renilla luciferase gene in the downstream of CMV promoter (hRluc-CMV) was simultaneously introduced, and this was used as an internal standard for correcting an error in the transgenesis efficiency or the number of cells. The medium was removed from the culture prepared in the above-described section 3) by using a Pipetman, and 75 μl of a solution containing an odor substance (1 mM hexanoic acid or 300 μM nonanoic acid) prepared in CD293 medium (Invitrogen) was added thereto. The cells were cultured for 4 hours in a CO₂ incubator, and the luciferase gene was sufficiently expressed in the cells. For the measurement of luciferase activity, the measurement was carried out by using a Dual-Glo™ luciferase assay system (Promega) according to the operation manual of the product. A value calculated by dividing the emission value, derived from a firefly luciferase induced by the stimulation with an odor substance, by the emission value in cells that were not-stimulated with an odor substance, was designated as a fold increase, and used as an index of response intensity.

5) Results

Five olfactory receptors, namely, OR2W1, OR10A6, OR51E1, OR51I2, and OR51L1, exhibited response to hexanoic acid, and three olfactory receptors, namely, OR2W1, OR10A6, and OR51E1, exhibited response to nonanoic acid (FIG. 1).

Example 2 Response of Olfactory Receptors to Hexanoic Acid

The response of olfactory receptors OR2W1, OR10A6, OR51E1, OR51I2, and OR51L1, to hexanoic acid (0, 10, 30, 100, 300, and 1000 μM) was investigated by the same procedure as that used in Example 1. As a result, all of the olfactory receptors exhibited concentration-dependent response to hexanoic acid (FIG. 2).

Example 3 Response of Olfactory Receptors to Isovaleric Acid

The response of olfactory receptors OR2W1, OR10A6, OR51E1, OR51I2, and OR51L1, to isovaleric acid (0, 3, 10, 30, 100, 300, and 1000 μM) was investigated by the same procedure as that used in Example 1. Olfactory receptors OR51E1 and OR51I2 exhibited concentration-dependent response to isovaleric acid (FIG. 3).

Example 4 Identification of Malodor Control Agents

The inhibitory activity of fifty-two test substances on the olfactory receptor response was investigated, by using the olfactory receptors identified in Example 1 as the object of study.

OR2W1, OR10A6, OR51E1, OR51I2, and OR51L1 were respectively expressed in HEK293 cells by the same method as that used in Example 1, and a luciferase assay was carried out. In the luciferase assay, hexanoic acid was used as the odorous substance, and test substances were added together with hexanoic acid. The response of the olfactory receptors to hexanoic acid was measured, and a decrease in the receptor response to the addition of test substances was evaluated.

The inhibition ratios of the receptor response to test substances were calculated as follows. The emission value (Y) obtained from the cells in which the same receptors were introduced but no odor stimulation was conducted, was subtracted from the emission value derived from firefly luciferase (X) induced by odor stimulation with hexanoic acid alone. Similarly, the emission value (Y) obtained from the cells in which no odor stimulation was conducted, was subtracted from the emission value (Z) caused by stimulation with a mixture of hexanoic acid and a test substance. By the following calculation formula, the inhibitory activity of the test substance to receptor response was calculated based on the increment of the emission value (X−Y) caused by stimulation of hexanoic acid alone. Multiple independent experiments were performed in duplicate, and the average of each experiment was obtained. Inhibition ratio (%)={1−(Z−Y)/(X−Y)}×100

As a result, 7 test substances exhibited receptor response inhibitory activity on OR2W1, 3 test substances exhibited the same activity on OR10A6, 7 test substances exhibited the same activity on OR51E1, 10 test substances exhibited the same activity on OR51I2, and 6 test substances exhibited the same activity on OR51L1 (Table 3).

Furthermore, with regard to some of the test substances that exhibited the inhibitory activity, concentration-dependent response inhibition of hexanoic acid response was investigated. The concentrations of the test substance used were 3, 10, 30, 100, and 300 μM. For the response of a receptor to 1 mM hexanoic acid at various test substance concentrations, the relative response intensity was investigated by designating the response intensity of the receptor at a test substance concentration of 0 μM, as 100%. As a result, it was found that, among the test substances which exhibited inhibitory activity, bourgeonal and florhydral inhibited the response of four olfactory receptors, namely, OR2W1, OR51E1, OR51I1, and OR51L1, to hexanoic acid all in a concentration-dependent manner (FIG. 4).

TABLE 3 1: Inhibition ratio: 50% or higher 2: Inhibition ratio: 20% to 50% Odor molecule 4-Isopropyl- 4-Isopropyl- 4-(2-Methoxy- 1-methyl- Hydroxy- 1-methyl- phenyl)-2- cyclohexane- Cyclamen citro- Methoxy- cyclohexyl- methyl-2- carbaldehyde Bourgeonal aldehyde Florhydral nellal Lilial citronellal Suzaral methanol butanol OR2W1 — 1 — 1 — 2 — — — 1 OR51E1 — 1 — 1 2 — 1 — — — OR51L1 — 1 — 1 2 — 1 — — — OR51I2 — 1 2 1 2 2 1 2 2 — OR10A6 1 — — — — — — — — — Odor molecule 4-Isopropyl- cyclohexane- Citro- Cyclemon Isocyclo- Cuminal- Pollenal Florosa Majantol carbaldehyde nellal A citral Tripral dehyde II OR2W1 — 2 — — 1 1 — — — OR51E1 — — — 2 — 1 — — 2 OR51L1 — — — — — 1 2 — — OR51I2 — — 2 — — — — 2 — OR10A6 2 — — — — 1 — — —

Example 5 Evaluation of Ability of Test Substances for Inhibiting Malodor

Test substances identified as having receptor response inhibitory activity in Example 4 were investigated for the abilities to suppress malodor by a sensory test.

Cotton balls were introduced into a glass bottle (Hakuyo Glass Co., Ltd. No. 11, capacity 110 ml), and hexanoic acid diluted 100 times with propylene glycol, nonanoic acid diluted 10 times with propylene glycol, or isovaleric acid diluted 1000 times with propylene glycol, as a malodor, and a test substance were added dropwise in an amount of 20 μM to the cotton balls. The glass bottle was left to stand overnight at room temperature, and the odor molecules were sufficiently volatilized in the glass bottle. A sensory evaluation test was carried out by a panel of three panelists (5 panelists for isovaleric acid), and while the intensity of odor in the case of adding dropwise the malodor alone was rated as 5, the intensity of the malodor in the case of incorporating a test substance was evaluated on the basis of a system of 20 grades from 0 point to 10 points (0.5 points per grade).

Regarding the test substance, florhydral (Givaudan SA), bourgeonal (Givaudan SA), hydroxycitronellal (Givaudan SA, International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc., and the like), 4-isopropylcyclohexanecarbaldehyde (synthesized according to a method described in JP-A-2-188549), 4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-methyl-2-butanol (JP-A-9-111281), florosa (Givaudan SA), isocyclocitral (Givaudan SA, International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc., and the like), tripral (International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.), and Pollenal II (Kao Corp.), which had been diluted 100 times with propylene glycol, were used for hexanoic acid; florhydral that had been diluted 10 times with propylene glycol was used for nonanoic acid; and florhydral that had been diluted 1000 times with propylene glycol was used for isovaleric acid. The same test was carried out on hexanoic acid by using, as a control substance for the test substance, fragrance floralol (diluted 100 times with propylene glycol), which was a substance having no response inhibiting effect on the olfactory receptors described above.

Florhydral and bourgeonal, which inhibit the response of OR2W1, OR51E1, OR51I2, and OR51L1 to hexanoic acid, markedly inhibited the odor of hexanoic acid (FIG. 5). The inhibition of this hexanoic acid odor was significant as compared with the case of incorporating the control substance (floralol). Furthermore, the same investigation was conducted on nonanoic acid and isovaleric acid, and as a result, the odors were also inhibited by these test substances (FIGS. 6 and 7). Meanwhile, the effect of inhibiting the hexanoic acid odor was also investigated on other substances that suppress the response of one kind or plural kinds of hexanoic acid receptors (hydroxycitronellal, 4-isopropylcyclohexanecarbaldehyde, 4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-methyl-2-butanol, florosa, isocyclocitral, tripral, and Pollenal II), and it was clarified that all of these test substances inhibit the hexanoic acid odor (Table 4).

TABLE 4 Test substance Intensity of odor Hexanoic acid only 5.00 Bourgeonal 3.13 Florhydral 1.25 Hydroxycitronellal 2.25 4-isopropylcyclohexanecarbaldehyde 2.17 4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-methyl-2-butanol 3.88 Florosa 3.38 Isocyclocitral 0.67 Tripral 2.00 Pollenal II 2.08

In order to investigate the specificity of malodor inhibition by the test substances having receptor response inhibitory activity that had been identified in Example 4, the same sensory test was carried out by using cresol, which gives a malodor having a structure different from fatty acids and is an odor substance to which the olfactory receptors identified in Example 1 do not respond. In the experiment, cresol diluted 100 times with propylene glycol was used as the malodor, and florhydral diluted 100 times with propylene glycol was used as the test substance.

As a result of the test, the odor of cresol was not inhibited by florhydral (FIG. 8). Therefore, it was found that the inhibiting effect is odor-specific. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for inhibiting a malodor comprising adding an antagonist of an olfactory receptor to the malodor, wherein the antagonist is an antagonist to any one olfactory receptor selected from the group consisting of OR51E1, OR2W1, OR10A6, OR51I2, and OR51L1, and wherein the antagonist comprises one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of 3-(3-isopropylphenyl)-butyraldehyde, 3-(4-tert-butylphenyl)propanal, 7-methoxy-3,7-dimethyloctanal, 2,4,6-trimethyl-3-cyclohexene-1-carboxyaldehyde, and 3,5,6-trimethyl-3-cyclohexene-1-carboxyaldehyde, wherein, when the receptor is OR51E1, the malodor-causing substance is hexanoic acid, nonanoic acid or isovaleric acid, when the receptor is OR2W1, the malodor-causing substance is hexanoic acid or nonanoic acid, when the receptor is OR10A6, the malodor-causing substance is hexanoic acid or nonanoic acid, and when the receptor is OR51I2, the malodor-causing substance is hexanoic acid or isovaleric acid, so that response of the olfactory receptor to the malodor is suppressed.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the malodor is the odor of nonanoic acid.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the antagonist is 3-(3-isopropylphenyl)-butyraldehyde.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the antagonist is 3-(4-tert-butylphenyl)propanal.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the antagonist is 7-methoxy-3,7-dimethyloctanal.
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the antagonist is 2,4,6-trimethyl-3-cyclohexene-1-carboxyaldehyde.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the antagonist is 3,5,6-trimethyl-3-cyclohexene-1-carboxyaldehyde.
 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the malodor is the odor of hexanoic acid.
 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the malodor is the odor of isovaleric acid.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the receptor is OR51E1.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the receptor is OR2W1.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the receptor is OR10A6.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the receptor is OR51I2.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the receptor is OR51L1.
 15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the antagonist is applied, in the presence of the malodor, to an individual in need of the inhibition of perception of the malodor.
 16. The method of according to claim 15, wherein the individual is a human being.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the antagonist is applied, in advance of the malodor, to an individual in need of the inhibition of perception of the malodor.
 18. The method of according to claim 17, wherein the individual is a human being. 